Hygienic attachment for telephone-transmitters.



E. 0. SMITH.

HYGIBNIG ATTACHMENT FOR TELEPHONE TRANSMITTERS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1908.

927,81 7 Patented July 13, 1909.

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UNITED STATES ELIZA 0. SMITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF tOllUMliIA.

HYGIENIC ATTACHMENT FOR TELEPHONE-TRANSMITTERS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, Emzx C. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hygienic Attachments for Telephone- Transmitters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to telephonic apparatus, and more particularly to transmitters, and has for an object to provide a device adapted to be detachably engaged with telephone transmitters to prevent the accumulation of germs therein, and which may be removed and destroyed after use.

Another object is to provide such a device which may be manufactured at low cost from stock material.

A further object is to provide a supporting frame-work for the device adapted to adjustable engagement with telephone transmitters of various makes.

Another object is to provide such a support which may be manufactured at a low cost from sheet material.

Another object is to provide such a device utilizing a closed cone especially constructed to allow the passage of sound vibrations therethrough.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and it will be understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a side view of the device attached to a telephone receiver, Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the cone, Fig. 3 is a detail View of the support.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a telephone transmitter 10 of the usual type, having a support B engaged therewith carrying a hygienic cone O engaged detachably therein. The support B comprises an annular band 11 formed of sheet material and carried by a plurality of spaced support portions 12 formed of the same material. The extremities of the support portions 12 opposite the member 11 are bent outwardly to form loops 13 in which there is slidably engaged a transmitter-clamping strip 14. One end of the clamping strip 14 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 24, 1908.

Patented July 13, 1909.

Serial N0. 454,529.

lis engaged with one of the supports 12 against movement and its opposite end is disposed slidably through the adjacent loop. The support portions 12 are bent inward intermediately of their length, and then out- \vardly, the outer end portions thus being offset inwardly and the inwardly directed portions being adapted to engage against the rim of the transmitter to prevent inward movement of the supports beyond a certain point. The inwardly turned portions thus cooperate with the band member 14 to hold the supports rigidly upon the transmitter.

To engage the support B with a transmitter the clamping member is extended to allow its disposal over the transmitter, and the loose end portion pulled taut until the base of the transmitter is peripherally engaged by the strip, when the outer end portion is bent backwardly over the adjacent loop to hold it against slipping.

The cone C may be formed in any dosirable manner from sheet material, preferably paper, and is closed at its reduced end by a disk 15. The cone is preferably made of very light paper, so that after a short period of use, it may be removed and crumpled up and thrown into a waste basket or otherwise disposed of. As shown, the cone comprises a segmental sheet of paper having its opposite radial edges overlapped to form a cone. The disk 15 is provided with an extension 15 secured to the cone by adhesive or other means, and when the cone is inserted in the transmitter, the disk is engaged by the usual foraminous plate therein to hold ittransversely of the opening through the cone. If the transmitter is not provided with the usual protective plate, the disk 15 is of such light material that it may be disposed against the diaphragm of the transmitter without affecting its operation. It will be seen that the cone is thus readily adapted to be folded for shipment, the disk 15 being extended longitudinally of the folded cone, so that it will not be wrinkled and will be adapted to be extended across the opening of the cone when placed in operative position.

It will be seen that the support B is adaptable for engagement with transmitters of various sizes and shapes, and may be secured in engaged position by a very simple operation.

If desirable, the disk 15 may be formed of delicate tenuous paper or other material when it would act as a membrane to check the passage of germs into the transmitter without appreciably afiecting the vibrations of the voice.

It will be understood that the support B may be made of wire, if desirable.

hat is claimed is 1. The combination with a telephone transiitter, of a supplementary protective cone of sheet material having a diaphragm of thinner material than the cone disposed across its restricted end, said diaphragm being foldable to lie out of such position at times.

2. The combination with a support of the class described, of a protective cone for telephone transmitters comprising a cone shaped member opening at its forward end and a diaphragm of thinner tissue than the cone, said diaphragm comprising a circular portion having a lateral extension secured to the cone, said diaphragm being foldable to lie at times snugly across the opening in the cone, and at other times out of such position.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ELIZA 0. SMITH.

Witnesses SARAH ELIZABETH EDWARDS, MAUI) ANDnRsoN. 

